Available instantly

Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
$16.99

Paperback
from $31.50

$16.99 with 43 percent savings

List Price: $30.00

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Thursday, June 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or Prime members get FREE delivery Tomorrow, June 15. Order within 2 hrs 2 mins.

Arrives on Father's Day. Need a gift sooner? Send an Amazon Gift Card instantly by email or text message.

In Stock

$$16.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

30-day refund/replacement

Payment

Secure transaction

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

$14.85

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

Covers are in good condition. The interior pages have no writing, marks, or highlighting. Covers are in good condition. The interior pages have no writing, marks, or highlighting. See less

FREE delivery Thursday, June 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or Prime members get FREE delivery Monday, June 16. Order within 2 hrs 2 mins.

Arrives after Father's Day. Need a gift sooner? Send an Amazon Gift Card instantly by email or text message.

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

$$16.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by HappyBookStores and Fulfilled by Amazon.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (224) from $2.31

The First 90 Days, Updated and Expanded: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Sma...Amazon Videos

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

6 VIDEOS

Follow the author

Michael Watkins

Follow

The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded Hardcover – May 14, 2013

by Michael D. Watkins (Author)

11,596 ratings

See all formats and editions

Save 50% on 1 when you buy 2 Shop items

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$16.99","priceAmount":16.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"16","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"6kE8ccdi%2FeOKYHWTSlWAhy4XIGnvhX9ECMoVZKGHLWEtM%2BqF2NvfoMIwkL%2Fwmnu7pnnlcYHbRxUh6T0R55SA4ou4sydAzuBWhvJmTw7MQ%2BDPO8NyHN0Y0Ot4bxgY8gIIB7hBOxu8kJjvglqVLWoKSQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$14.85","priceAmount":14.85,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"85","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"6kE8ccdi%2FeOKYHWTSlWAhy4XIGnvhX9ER4wkKSo8%2BBOG3yuJDkPFnvTDswt0knLdwHjCnWxw4iBAdjJ6RxPWFl94y7f4eXgcjsbVem1cJ%2BG21hSwXkGUOPO4sh7Jd9vR71sjavSgtBJqFgZTjVWykZFbl1NTh35TFhIoymyQgPUSMSp4%2B7Yta13Oo8rwIv6t","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Named one of 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime by Amazon Editors

The world’s most trusted guide for leaders in transition

Transitions are a critical time for leaders. In fact, most agree that moving into a new role is the biggest challenge a manager will face. While transitions offer a chance to start fresh and make needed changes in an organization, they also place leaders in a position of acute vulnerability. Missteps made during the crucial first three months in a new role can jeopardize or even derail your success.

In this updated and expanded version of the international bestseller The First 90 Days, Michael D. Watkins offers proven strategies for conquering the challenges of transitionsno matter where you are in your career. Watkins, a noted expert on leadership transitions and adviser to senior leaders in all types of organizations, also addresses today’s increasingly demanding professional landscape, where managers face not only more frequent transitions but also steeper expectations once they step into their new jobs.

By walking you through every aspect of the transition scenario, Watkins identifies the most common pitfalls new leaders encounter and provides the tools and strategies you need to avoid them. You’ll learn how to secure critical early wins, an important first step in establishing yourself in your new role. Each chapter also includes checklists, practical tools, and self-assessments to help you assimilate key lessons and apply them to your own situation.

Whether you’re starting a new job, being promoted from within, embarking on an overseas assignment, or being tapped as CEO, how you manage your transition will determine whether you succeed or fail. Use this book as your trusted guide.

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

His wisdom, and research, has helped many masterfully onboard into new positions.” Forbes.com

Watkins has taken a rather prosaic proposition (first impressions count) and built around it a handbook that grown-ups can use in business, particularly in times of change and transition.” Idealog (New Zealand)

A useful addition to leadership studies collections.” Choice magazine

The First 90 Days is a rich source of material for any executive coach and of course any uncoached executive. I highly recommend it.” Coaching Today

The First 90 Days and its digital counterpart serve as valued resources for leaders just stepping into a critical new rolewhen first impressions matter so much, and every word or deed can tip the scale of public opinion.” T+D magazine (American Society for Training & Development)

No business holding should be without this expanded coverage.” Midwest Book Review

Any person who gets a new job or promotion or position, can use this book to be more effective in the first 3 months on the job. It is no doubt that [The First 90 Days] has lasting-power and will remain popular and useful for many years to come.” 800 CEO READ

packed with practical suggestions for how to successfully navigate through new scenarios.” GuruFocus.com

In his seminal book The First 90 Days, Michael Watkins advises that, as a leader in the first 90 days of a new leadership role, you should promote yourself, accelerate your learning, match your strategy to the situation, and create coalitions.” FastCompany.com

a superb guide” Globe & Mail

About the Author

Michael D. Watkins is a cofounder of Genesis Advisers, a leadership development consultancy that specializes in the design of onboarding and transition acceleration solutions, workshops, and coaching for Fortune 500 companies.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard Business Review Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 14, 2013
Edition ‏ : ‎ Updated, Expanded
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1422188612
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1422188613
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Job Hunting & Career Guides
- #16 in Business Management (Books)
- #28 in Leadership & Motivation

Customer Reviews:
11,596 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Michael Watkins

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Michael Watkins coaches C-level executives of global organizations and is founder of Genesis Advisers (www.genesisadvisers.com), a global leadership development consultancy specializing in transition acceleration for leaders, teams and organizations. He is also Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change at the IMD Business School where he teaches a popular Virtual First 90 Days Open Program for leaders in transition (www.imd.org/f90d). He has spent the last two decades working with executives - both corporate and public – to help them craft their legacies as leaders and is ranked among the leading management thinkers globally by Thinkers50 (2019).

Watkins is author of the international bestseller The First 90 Days Updated and Expanded: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, aptly dubbed “The Onboarding Bible” by The Economist. With over a million copies sold in English and translations in 24 languages, The First 90 Days is the classic reference for leaders in transition and a standard learning and development resource for executive onboarding. Amazon named it one of its top 100 business books of all time.

Prior to joining IMD, Watkins was a member of faculty at INSEAD, Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he designed and taught world-class programs for high-potential leader development, corporate diplomacy, and strategic negotiation.

You can find Michael:

On LinkedIn (www.linkedin/in/michaeldwatkins)

On Twitter (@MichaelDWatkins)

You can follow The First 90 Days:

First 90 Days Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/thefirst90days)

First 90 Days YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/first90days)

Customer reviews

11,596 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Review this product

Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book's content helpful, with one noting it's particularly useful for tackling new challenges and projects. The book is praised for its logical structure, clear guidelines, and relatable stories that provide tangible examples. Customers appreciate the checklists, worksheets, and actionable points, and consider it well worth the investment.

Select to learn more

Information quality Readability Ease of reading Checklists Value for money Story quality Pacing Actionable

391 customers mention "Information quality"379 positive12 negative

Customers find the book's information quality positive, with multiple reviews noting its useful insights and good communication of concepts. One customer mentions it provides tremendous insight for starting at a new position, while another finds it helpful for upcoming transitions.

"...Insightful book for those who want to ensure success from Day 1" Read more

"...A constant source of insight at arm's reach." Read more

"...From the STARS concept to managing yourself, this book will guide your transition smoothly. i will recommend this book to all my friends and family." Read more

"...The chapters are filled with key strategies and tools to deal with transition, both from a leader and person being led perspective...." Read more

353 customers mention "Readability"324 positive29 negative

Customers find the book readable and helpful, particularly noting it's good preparation for job changes and useful for new company situations.

"Great book." Read more

"The pacing and structure of this book is well written, and you can tell Watkins has a good deal of experience in leadership building...." Read more

"...It was an excellent and highly valuable resource!" Read more

"Nice book for new company and new opportunity" Read more

156 customers mention "Ease of reading"145 positive11 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and appreciate how it logically lays out the different steps needed, providing clear guidelines and good advice on structure and approach.

"...builds upon the last and provides relatable stories and actionable guidelines for each (presented at the end of each chapter as a checklist)...." Read more

"...It is focused on developing an action plan for the first 90 days of any executive in a new role...." Read more

"...It is well laid out with clear questions and practical steps. I'd highly recommend it." Read more

"...It brought a lot of peace of mind and helped me be confident...." Read more

22 customers mention "Checklists"22 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the checklists in the book, which include worksheets and examples, with one customer noting the inclusion of charts and diagrams.

"...There are excellent check lists, tables and exercises to help you plan out a successful transition...." Read more

"...It dives deeper, explains concepts, gives bullet point applicable charts/graphs that can be revisited for real world use...." Read more

"...content is logically structured and well written, and also includes lots of worksheets for applying the lessons to your situation...." Read more

"...I appreciate that charts and forms were included. It would be helpful if those forms were available for printing or downloading...." Read more

14 customers mention "Value for money"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be well worth the investment, with one customer highlighting its practical values for immediate success.

"wanted to buy the book so I could mark up the pages. Best price and I had it same day!" Read more

"...All in all, this was time and money well-spent." Read more

"...Still, a very useful tool with PLENTY of good stuff, well worth the $ and the time." Read more

"...I strongly recommend the app that accompanies the book, well worth the investment. This is money extremely well spent." Read more

12 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the story quality of the book, with one customer noting how each chapter builds upon the previous one, while others highlight the use of tangible examples and real-life scenarios to introduce topics.

"...Each task builds upon the last and provides relatable stories and actionable guidelines for each..." Read more

"The first 3/4 of this book are excellent - good analysis, stories and examples to get the point across, excellent advice and useful tools...." Read more

"...The stories used at beginning of chapters provide a good real life scenario to understand better the concepts in each chapter...." Read more

"...I enjoyed all of the chapters and liked the way the author used the real life examples. Good book if you are in transition." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one mentioning it provides good ideas for the first 90 days, while another notes it offers guidance for both managers and individual contributors.

"...Every organization is unique and goes through different stages of development...." Read more

"This book can put everything of experienced engineers want to give advice to junior ones in words and frameworks!..." Read more

"I just started my new job and this book supported my first days and I felt very comfortable for the next weeks/months...." Read more

"...I learned in the book helped me in many ways beyond creating a great 90 day plan...." Read more

9 customers mention "Actionable"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content actionable, with one customer specifically mentioning its onboarding strategies.

"...It's straightforward, easy to understand and actionable...." Read more

"...It really gives you the subtle details and action plans how to tackle this transition from politics to soft-skill management tips with tools and..." Read more

"...in a way that allowed the reader/leader to create a plan with actionable points. Even seasoned leaders could take some guidance and refocus from it...." Read more

"...Great, actionable insight - excellent and required reading for anyone moving into a new role." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

Darryl
Actionable guidelines for creating impact quickly in a new position
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

Starting a new job this year presented a great opportunity/challenge in resetting the way that I show up and contribute value to the workplace. The First 90 Days defines ten transition tasks to consider when joining a new organization or being promoted to a senior role in the current organization. Each task builds upon the last and provides relatable stories and actionable guidelines for each (presented at the end of each chapter as a checklist). I'm still working my way through to the 90-day mark, and have found this guide very helpful in ensuring my entry in the new environment is impactful.

Quotes:
- Transition failures happen because new leaders either misunderstand the essential demands of the situation or lack the skill and flexibility to adapt to them.
- Strategic direction encompasses mission, vision, and strategy. Mission is about what will be achieved, vision is about why people should feel motivated to perform at a high level, and strategy is about how resources should be allocated and decisions made to accomplish the mission.

Read more

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Kindle Customer
AMAZING BOOK
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Devour this book like crazy If you're transitioning into a leadership role. Insightful book for those who want to ensure success from Day 1

Read more

Helpful

Report
Goz
Perennially Insightful
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I never realized how often I would refer to this book. Not just for planning to navigate my own first 90 days in an organization, but also to predict what others would do in theirs. A constant source of insight at arm's reach.

Read more

Helpful

Report
Rgil
Structured methods to move on to your new role!
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I wish i found this books earlier in my career path. From the STARS concept to managing yourself, this book will guide your transition smoothly. i will recommend this book to all my friends and family.

Read more

Helpful

Report
Jomoore K. Toney
Book Review
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Great book.

Read more

Helpful

Report
Jessica
Good Leadership Building Skills with Touches of Misogyny
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The pacing and structure of this book is well written, and you can tell Watkins has a good deal of experience in leadership building. The chapters are filled with key strategies and tools to deal with transition, both from a leader and person being led perspective.

My big issue is the voice and tone Watkins uses throughout the book. There are several barely veiled misogynistic comments. The bias of thinking of women as poor performers and not suited for leadership weaves its way throughout the length of the book.
- Specifically only referencing to managers as he/him
- Only referring to high performers as he/him and poor performers as she/her

Read more

24 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Mia
Great book with practical suggestions
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I wish I could read the book earlier in my career.

Read more

Helpful

Report
Magnus
great book in handling transitions
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
We are always transitioning in life. This book is a definitive guide for transitioning. No matter what you are transitioning into

Read more

Helpful

Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

GG
Best book for new managers
Reviewed in Italy on November 23, 2024
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Amazing insights

Read more
Report
Cliente Kindle
Transição
Reviewed in Brazil on February 17, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Excelente livro para pessoas que estão fazendo uma transição, seja a mesma através de uma promoção na mesma unidade de negócio ou uma mudança de área.
Apresenta ferramentas que irão te auxiliar a analisar cenários e também sugestões de como agir.

Read more
Report
Translate review to English
Alvaro
Un MUST
Reviewed in Mexico on August 13, 2021
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Un libro que disfruté de principio a fin, el cual refleja cada proceso de onboarding y cómo manejarlo de acuerdo a la situación. Muchos ejemplos ayudan a digerir más fácilmente la información, además que brinda tips relevantes a tomar en cuenta durante los primeros 90 Días. Creo que pocos libros he disfrutado como este. Viví mis primeros 45 días con la lectura en paralelo y los resultados se vieron de inmediato. Te invito a leerlo!!!

Read more

Alvaro

Un MUST

Reviewed in Mexico on August 13, 2021
Un libro que disfruté de principio a fin, el cual refleja cada proceso de onboarding y cómo manejarlo de acuerdo a la situación. Muchos ejemplos ayudan a digerir más fácilmente la información, además que brinda tips relevantes a tomar en cuenta durante los primeros 90 Días. Creo que pocos libros he disfrutado como este. Viví mis primeros 45 días con la lectura en paralelo y los resultados se vieron de inmediato. Te invito a leerlo!!!

Images in this review

Report
Translate review to English
Lara
Great guide
Reviewed in Spain on January 12, 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book is a great guide for people who are starting a new job of switching roles in the same company. The chapters are well structured. There are no templates and this is appreciated as it boosts creativity and critical thinking. Definitely helped in building an effective 90-day plan.

Read more
Report
Amanda Chen
A management classic every experienced leader/manager/professional should digest
Reviewed in Australia on May 3, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book is a management classic every experienced leader/manager/professional should digest.

After working for companies at various stages of their lifecycle, I re-read this masterpiece and had an epiphany of the reason why some strategies, including talent management, floundered. I strongly recommend everyone read Chapter 3, "Match Strategy to Situation". It will guide managers in viewing critical problems at a strategic level and then formulate and carry out the appropriate operational plan. It will also help candidates choose a suitable work environment to join.

Read more
Report

See more reviews

Follow the author

The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded Hardcover – May 14, 2013

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Videos

Videos for this product

Videos for this product

Videos for this product

Videos for this product

Videos for this product

Videos for this product

About the author

Michael Watkins

Customer reviews

Review this product

Customers say

Select to learn more

Images in this review

Reviews with images

Quick transition to new role leads to immediate success.

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for new managers

5.0 out of 5 stars Transição

5.0 out of 5 stars Un MUST

Un MUST

Images in this review

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide

5.0 out of 5 stars A management classic every experienced leader/manager/professional should digest

Best book for new managers

Transição

Un MUST

Great guide

A management classic every experienced leader/manager/professional should digest